Reviewing the Ravens running backs

Kyle Juszczyk, fullback

Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun

GS: 0 | GP: 16 | Snaps: 378 Season in review: The fourth-round pick out of Harvard was almost exclusively a special teams player during his rookie season. Of his 378 snaps, all but four of them were on special teams. His work as a lead blocker for return man Jacoby Jones was valuable. However, Juszczyk, a prolific pass catcher in college, was never able to carve out a role on an offense that was sorely of another reliable target. Stat that stands out: 0 -- The number of times Juszczyk touched the ball on offense. He had 52 catches in his senior season at Harvard. Outlook for 2014 and beyond: Ravens head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged that the team needs to find ways to get Juszczyk involved on offense next year. With Vonta Leach not expected back, Juszczyk figures to be the team's lone fullback. His blocking is a work-in progress and he needs to get stronger and quicker to become an offensive weapon for Joe Flacco and company.

GS: 0 | GP: 16 | Snaps: 378 Season in review: The fourth-round pick out of Harvard was almost exclusively a special teams player during his rookie season. Of his 378 snaps, all but four of them were on special teams. His work as a lead blocker for return man Jacoby Jones was valuable. However, Juszczyk, a prolific pass catcher in college, was never able to carve out a role on an offense that was sorely of another reliable target. Stat that stands out: 0 -- The number of times Juszczyk touched the ball on offense. He had 52 catches in his senior season at Harvard. Outlook for 2014 and beyond: Ravens head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged that the team needs to find ways to get Juszczyk involved on offense next year. With Vonta Leach not expected back, Juszczyk figures to be the team's lone fullback. His blocking is a work-in progress and he needs to get stronger and quicker to become an offensive weapon for Joe Flacco and company. (Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun)

GS: 7 | GP: 16 | Snaps: 305 Season in review: The Ravens struggled mightily to run the ball in two-back sets early and mostly abandoned the alignment later in the season, relegating their three-time Pro Bowl fullback to a bystander in some games. Leach's punishing lead blocking wasn't as evident as it was in past years, but he contributed on special teams and nobody took the run game¿s struggles more personal. Stat that stands out: 224 -- Number of offensive snaps Leach played, 74 fewer than reserve wide receiver Tandon Doss. Outlook for 2014 and beyond: Fullbacks are becoming extinct in today's NFL, though at 32 years old, Leach is hoping to play a couple of more seasons. It likely won't be with the Ravens. He carries a $2.3 million salary cap hit, which figures to be too pricey for a team that uses its fullback less and less each season. Leach's leadership, toughness and professionalism will be missed in the locker room.

GS: 7 | GP: 16 | Snaps: 305 Season in review: The Ravens struggled mightily to run the ball in two-back sets early and mostly abandoned the alignment later in the season, relegating their three-time Pro Bowl fullback to a bystander in some games. Leach's punishing lead blocking wasn't as evident as it was in past years, but he contributed on special teams and nobody took the run game¿s struggles more personal. Stat that stands out: 224 -- Number of offensive snaps Leach played, 74 fewer than reserve wide receiver Tandon Doss. Outlook for 2014 and beyond: Fullbacks are becoming extinct in today's NFL, though at 32 years old, Leach is hoping to play a couple of more seasons. It likely won't be with the Ravens. He carries a $2.3 million salary cap hit, which figures to be too pricey for a team that uses its fullback less and less each season. Leach's leadership, toughness and professionalism will be missed in the locker room. (Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore Sun)

There was no bigger disappointment for the 2013 Ravens than their head-scratching inability to run the football. They finished the season ranked 30th in rushing yards per game (83.0) and dead last in yards per carry (3.1). Their 1,328 rushing yards were a franchise low by a significant margin. There was plenty of blame to go around, from run game coordinator Juan Castillo's blocking schemes to the offensive line's struggles. However, the Ravens' running backs, and Ray Rice in particular, weren't exempt from the criticism. Jeff Zrebiec looks back at the performance for each Ravens running back in 2013. To look at the other positions that have been reviewed, click here.